The Next Apple CEO Needs to Stay Focused
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5. The next Steve Jobs?
Just as likely as it is that Apple won't find a suitable replacement for Steve
Jobs, the company could also find its next great leader. Currently, Apple has
several top executives, including Tim Cook and Jonathan Ive, who have worked
alongside Jobs for years. And they have undoubtedly learned quite a bit from
their CEO. With a little bit of luck and a
keen eye, it's possible that Apple's board might find the next Steve Jobs
already working at its company.
6. Mac market share slides
With each decision Jobs makes,
he's showing that iOS is integral to his company's business going forward.
The iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch are cash cows for Apple. And Jobs wouldn't have
it any other way. However, Jobs has still been able to maintain the Mac's
positioning in the computing space. It's an important consideration that's
often overlooked. And any CEO with lesser
abilities than Jobs could focus their efforts in the wrong areas and see Mac
market share slide.
7. The iPhone loses its way
Apple's iPhone is successful today because Jobs had enough foresight to
determine what it needed and what it didn't. He was also able to successfully
navigate his way through a sometimes hostile U.S.
marketplace that wanted an end to AT&T exclusivity for years. But would
another Apple CEO be able to do the same? As
the performance of every other smartphone maker on the market shows, no other CEO
can achieve what Jobs has. And that could come back to haunt Apple after Jobs'
departure.
8. Major management changes
When any new CEO takes over a company, top
management is usually left in shambles. Folks toward the top feel they were
stepped over, while others think they might have better opportunities
elsewhere. Still others feel no allegiance to the new boss. When Jobs leaves
and the company has a new CEO, the same will
likely happen at Apple. Then folks will need to question if a new CEO
with new top management will be able to run Apple the way it was under Jobs.
9. The end of secrecy
One of the key aspects of Jobs' success throughout the years has been his
desire for absolute secrecy. While other companies routinely let new product
details leak out to prime the marketing pump, Apple hasn't. In the process, he
has created a shroud of secrecy that has helped build hype for Apple's products
and drive demand. But few other companies have enjoyed such secrecy. Depending
on who takes over, Apple's ability to maintain high levels of secrecy could
come to an end.
10. Nothing changes
What if Jobs leaves Apple and someone else takes over the company and
absolutely nothing changes? It might be more possible than some think. Jobs is
a dominant figure at Apple. He has had enough contact with the company's top
executives to teach them something. If Apple's board picks well, it might not
see any changes at its company. And in the process,
Apple will be recognized as the best incubator for top CEO talent in the world.
